Create BTRFS snapshot before dnf install or update

Keeping your system safe during package management operations is important. With BTRFS and Snapper, you can easily create snapshots before making changes with DNF. This guide will help you set up an automatic snapshot system, so you can roll back if something goes wrong during installs, updates, upgrades, or removals.

Step 1: Create the Snapshot Script

We'll create a wrapper script for DNF that automatically creates a BTRFS snapshot before any major package operation. This ensures you always have a restore point.

1#!/bin/bash
2# Create snapshot before DNF operations
3if [[ "$1" == "install" ]] || [[ "$1" == "update" ]] || [[ "$1" == "upgrade" ]] || [[ "$1" == "remove" ]]; then
4    snapper create -d "Before DNF $*"
5fi
6exec /usr/bin/dnf.real "$@"

Save this script as /usr/local/bin/dnf and make it executable. This replaces the default DNF command with your snapshot-enabled version.

Step 2: Make the Script Executable

Run the following command to allow execution of your new script:

1sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/dnf

Step 3: Backup the Original DNF Binary

Before replacing the original DNF command, back it up so you can restore it if needed:

1sudo mv /usr/bin/dnf /usr/bin/dnf.real

Step 4: Create a Symlink

Now, link your new script to the original DNF location. This way, every time you run dnf, your script will execute:

1sudo ln -s /usr/local/bin/dnf /usr/bin/dnf

Step 5: Verify Snapshots

After running any DNF operation (install, update, upgrade, remove), you can check that a snapshot was created:

1sudo snapper list

This will show you the list of snapshots, including those created before DNF operations.

With these steps, your system will automatically create BTRFS snapshots before any major package management operation, giving you peace of mind and an easy way to recover if something goes wrong.